Coursing enthusiasts flock to Tipperary to celebrate their sport

Perfect weather, huge crowds and fantastic coursing made for a very successful National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Coursing enthusiasts travelled from all over the world and from all corners of Ireland to attend the annual coursing extravaganza.

Since the last days of September, until just a few weeks ago, coursing clubs throughout the country held trial stakes ands all-age cups, with greyhounds competing to qualify for the weekend festival in Powerstown, the holy grail of coursing for owners and trainers.

Coursing people look forward all year to meeting one another and enjoying the special atmosphere that only Clonmel and the annual gathering at Powerstown creates.

One person that looks forward to the big occasion more than most is coursing legend Ted Boyle.

Coursing people were thrilled to see Ted, who has been living with cancer for the last four years, in attendance.

LOVELY PERCH

Amid all the chaos in Powerstown, Ted had found himself a lovely perch. Ted was ensconced in the supporters club bar with a clear view of the races on the screen and in a prime location to keep track of the comings and goings of the familiar faces of coursing fans who wished him well throughout the day.

Ted has attended every national coursing meeting in Clonmel since 1963 and coursing has been a huge part of his life.

“I would not miss it for the world. I am enjoying it immensely, it is wonderful to be here, to be part of the occasion,” said Ted who is the current chairman of the Clonmel and District Open Coursing Club.

“It was easier to get on to Clonmel Corporation than it was to get into Clonmel and District,” said Ted as he ticked off the winners of the courses on his card.

Ted, a three time former mayor of Clonmel, said coursing provided a great economic boost for the town every year and it was part of the identity of Clonmel and Tipperary.

HERITAGE

“It is our heritage, it is part of what we are,” said Ted Boyle.